Australia name 30-man provisional squad ahead of Test series against British Lions - with Quade Cooper missing

Australia coach Robbie Deans insists the door is still open for troubled star
Kurtley Beale to play against the British and Irish Lions, but says
playmaker Quade Cooper needs to improve if he is to gain selection.

Beale and Cooper have been left out of a 30-man logistics camp to be held in Sydney from Sunday afternoon.

While the camp is not an official team selection, it is an indication of where players stand two months out from the opening Test in Brisbane, with former rugby league international Israel Folau one of seven uncapped players invited to attend.

But Deans insists players can still play their way in and out of his line-up for the June 22 Test at Suncorp Stadium, including Beale and Cooper.

"Kurtley's obviously not playing at the moment, he's sought help which is great and he's going through a counselling process," Deans said of Beale, who is taking an indefinite break from the game to deal with personal issues relating to alcohol following a fight with Melbourne Rebels team-mates on a recent trip to South Africa.

"That's a great first step for Kurtley but he's got to go through that and that'll run its course and if and when he becomes available obviously we'd consider it (selecting him) then.

"He'd return to the Rebels and play so we'd obviously observe with interest and go from there.

"There's still some boxes he has to tick but if and when he comes back and plays... there's still a lot of rugby to be played and a lot of opportunity for everyone to press their claims."

Deans, meanwhile, has delivered a modest assessment of Cooper's form, casting further doubt on the Reds star's involvement in the series.

"I think Quade is working his way back, he's starting to put some good pieces together," Deans said.

"We've talked routinely and he's very clear, he understands what's required at this level.

"He's got a good insight into what we're looking for and we can see him working at that stuff as well, so that's good."

Deans said of Folau's inclusion: "He's confirmed what we knew really, I mean we've seen Israel play top level sport routinely and he's very comfortable in the arena, he enjoys the big stage.

"His transition to union has been remarkably smooth."

Pressed on whether Folau - who has played just seven Super Rugby games for the Waratahs - is a realistic hope to feature against the Lions in June and July, Deans said: "It's not worth sweating on, he's enjoying his rugby and making good progress and those decisions will be made in time.

"But obviously he's in our thinking, he's on the radar and he's shown he's perfectly capable of playing at that level and hence he's here."

Folau said: "Obviously I'm pretty excited just to be invited to the camp, for me that's a huge honour already.

"I'm certainly feeling a lot more comfortable and confident each week I'm playing the game.

"It'll be a massive honour for me obviously to represent the Wallabies."